Maharashtra: FIR filed against Milind Deora for violating MCC

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Apr 21 (ANI): An FIR has been registered at LT Marg Police Station against Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora for violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC), police said on Sunday.

This comes two days after the Maharashtra State Election had asked LT Marg police to file an FIR against Deora after his comments on the Jain community were found "false and religiously sensitive". The EC looked into the matter after it received a complaint from a Shiv Sena leader.

On April 4, Deora, while addressing an event at Zhaveri Bazar, had accused Shiv Sena of hurting religious sentiments of Jain followers. The Mumbai Congress president urged the community to teach them a lesson by not voting for the party in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

"Shiv Sena has been against the minorities. A few years ago, the party insulted the Jain religion by cooking meat outside Jain temples during Paryushana festival. Remember, you have to teach them a lesson through your votes," he had said at an event.

The FIR has been registered under section 171 of Indian Penal Code (giving a false statement for elections) and section 125 of the Representation of People Act (RPA), 1951 ( promoting enmity between classes in connection with elections).
Speaking to ANI, Advocate Dharmendra Mishra, who is a complainant in the case, said: "We complained to Ashwin Kumar who is a collector and returning officer. By taking a Suo Motu action in the matter, he has proved that the MCC is not a toothless law."

"It does not matter how big politician you are, if you violate poll conduct then action will be taken against you. I have been registering complaints for the past four years in the cases of MCC violation. But for the first time, an action has been taken against a politician," he said. 
Mishra further said that he has also filed a complaint against the Congress party as Deora has taken full advantage of his political legacy. "A defamation case has been filed against Deora in the court, which is scheduled to be heard on Monday," he said.

"Jain people were targeted by Deora to take advantage in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. A private complaint has been filed by me under section 153 A of the RPA (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion)," advocate Sunny Jain told ANI.

"I have an appeal to all politicians to not contest elections on religious sentiments but on their work and productivity," he said.

Paryushana, an annual event where Jain community observes fast for a period of eight days, is usually celebrated in August or September.

The Lok Sabha polls for 48 parliamentary seats in Maharashtra began on April 11. It has been staggered in four phases till April 29. The results will be declared on May 23. (ANI)